UHV Phi Zeta chapter reaching out to help communities

Nov. 17, 2012 at 5:17 a.m.

Lynsie Fyke, president of the University of Houston-Victoria chapter of Phi Zeta, talks to a donor at a blood drive Tuesday at the university. The event resulted in 21 bags of donated blood to the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

With blood drives, fundraising walks, zombie presentations and other events, members of the University of Houston-Victoria Phi Zeta honor society for the biological sciences have committed a great deal of time to service.

While the fall semester has been busy, Lynsie Fyke, president of the UHV chapter of Phi Zeta, said members are happy to do what they can to help organizations in Victoria and Fort Bend counties.

"Service is a big part of being in our honor society," she said. "That's why every member has to commit to 10 service hours while they are in the organization."

The UHV chapter of Phi Zeta began in spring 2011.

With 25 active members, the organization will induct a third class of members this spring.

In September, members raised $286 for the Alzheimer's Walk in Victoria and $558 for the Alzheimer's Walk in Sugar Land.

The walks are designed to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Community members also can help with two ongoing projects to collect supplies for animal organizations.

In Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch, Phi Zeta is collecting goods for the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Houston. Boxes at UH Sugar Land and the UH System at Cinco Ranch will remain until Wednesday.

"The center will take raccoons, possums, snakes, birds and squirrels, rehabilitates them and put them back in the wild," Fyke said. "This ties in nicely with the animal sciences side of the biology program."

Beyond events and service projects, Fyke said the group is focusing on ways to help students academically.

"We offer tutoring for UHV biology students or for Victoria College students taking biology classes," she said. "Since most of us already have taken those courses, we are in a position to help."

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TO GIVE BLOOD

WHERE: South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, 1109 Sam Houston DriveWHEN: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday. A list of items for both Adopt-A-Pet and the rehabilitation center can be found on the Phi Zeta website at www.uhv.edu/student_org/PhiZetaHS.

Email phizetahs@uhv.edu or view the group's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHV.PhiZeta.